Marvel Confirms Cast and Villain for Thor: Ragnarok

The Thor movie franchise continues next year with Thor: Ragnarok, which will be the third film in the solo-Thor movie franchise. This week, Marvel Entertainment confirmed the new cast members and the identity of the new villain. As expected, Academy Award winner Cate Blanchett will portray the new villain Hela. It was previously expected she would play this character. In the comics, Hela is the daughter of Loki and also the Queen of Hel, basically Asgard’s version of the underworld.

Also joining the cast is Jeff Goldblum as the eccentric Grandmaster, Tessa Thompson as Valkyrie, and Karl Urban as Skurge. In the comics, the Grandmaster is an Elder of the Universe, similar to The Collector. In the recent Marvel animated shows for Guardians of the Galaxy and Ultimate Spider-Man, Grandmaster and Collector are also brothers. Mark Ruffalo was already previously announced for the film to return in the role of Bruce Banner and The Hulk. Of course, Chris Hemsworth returns as Thor, and Tom Hiddleston is back as Loki. Idris Elba portrays Heimdall. Anthony Hopkins will also be back as Odin.

Producer Kevin Feige stated on the casting announcement: “The continuation of the epic Thor franchise will be powerful and unique, and with the additions of Cate, Jeff, Tessa, Karl, and Mark to the cast we have the makings of his most dangerous and heroic adventure yet. The sheer, raw talent each of these actors brings to the screen can’t be quantified. Having any one of them join the Marvel Cinematic Universe would be an honor, and having all of them is incredible.”

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Taika Waititi is directing the film. Thor: Ragnarok arrives on July 28, 2017. You can check out some concept art Marvel released featuring Hela from the film below.

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Jeffrey Harris, a movie, TV, video game, pop-culture, and UFC/MMA aficionado, resides in Los Angeles, California. He is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin's Radio, TV, Film program. Jeffrey is a dedicated pop-culture geek and UT Orange Blood.